Coupling



drawing, in which Patented Sept. 9, 1 941 HUNITED STATES PATENT'OFFICE 2,255,334 cournmc Albert 'r. Scheiwer, Erie, Pa.

Application October s, 1938, serial No. 234,062

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally tocouplings and more particularly to snap type couplings.

All devices of this character made according to the teachings of the prior art, and with which I am familiar, have had no means for keeping foreign matter and moisture away from the con-. tacting surfaces of the female member of the coupling when disconnected with the result that the parts would quickly wear and connection of the male and female members were many times rendered practically unconnectable. It was necessary to apply heat to these couplings in order to make connections in cold weather. None of these prior couplings have a swiveling movement which resulted in their being twisted in two parts.

It, is, accordingly, an object of my invention to overcome the above and other defects in couplings, and it is more particularly an object of'my invention to provide a coupling which is practically free from moisture and foreign matter at all times.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coupling which swivels. H

Another object of my invention is to provide a coupling which is simple in construction, cheap in cost, eilicient in operation, and easy to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coupling which is easily assembled and disassembled.

' Another object of my invention is to provide improved sealing means between the male and female members of a snap type coupling.

, Another object of my invention is to provide improved retaining means for the ball members.

Another object of my invention is to provide for closing -the female member of the coupling when the male and female members are disconnected. I

Other objects of my invention will become evident from the following detailed description,

with the accompanying taken in conjunction Fig. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section showing my novel coupling in a locked position.

tion showing the coupling'in Fig. 1 in a normally disconnected position.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the coupling shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4

means.

Referring to the drawing, Figs. 1 and 2 disclose a male and a female member I and 2. The

malemember I has a connecting portionl with.

a peripheral groove 4 and a tapered end 5. The

female member 2 comprises a cylindrical shell 6 having an interiorly formed groove I for disposing a sealing member 8 of substantially U- shaped cross-section. The sealing member 8 has and a spring I3 urges the sleeve I2 against the collar I4 threadably engaged to the shell 6 to normally hold the ball members -II in engagement with the groove I to secure the male and female members I and 2 together. A cover I5 is hingedly supported on the sleeve I2 and covers the open end of the female member 2. The cover I5 is provided with a projecting portion III which causes the cover I5 to move to an open position automatically when the sleeve I2 is moved rearwardly. A washer I. is disposed on the face of the collar I4 to form a more perfect seal when 1 the ,cover I5 is seated against the face of the collar It on the female member 2. A spring member I'I urges the cover II against the washer I 6 to provide a more perfect seal and prevent moisture and dirt from entering the open end i of the female member 2.

- In operation, the sleeve I2 is moved against the force of the spring I2 to free the ball members II and permit the insertion of the connecting portion 3 of the male memberJ in the open end of the female member 2. Upon movement of the sleeve I2, the projecting portion II on the cover I! causes the'cover II- to move to an open position as shown in Fig. 1. In this position, the connecting portion 3 of the male member I may be freely inserted in the opening in the female member 2. Upon release. of the sleeve I2, the ball members II are forced into engagement with the groove 4 in the-connecting portion 2 of the -male member I to secure the male and female Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partly in secmembersland2together. Todisoonnecttho is an enlarged view of the ball retaining male and female members I and 2, the sleeve I2 is released thereby freeing the'ball members I l to permit the withdrawal of the male member I.

It will be seen that I have provided a snap type coupling-which excludes moisture and dirt from the working parts, which has novel sealing means, and many other novel features of design to make a more eiilcientcoupling than those now on the market.

Various changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the present invention without to secure said male and female members together, a cover disposed on said sleeve for sealing the open end of said female member when said male and female members are disconnected and a cam member integral with said cover movable into the opening in said shell when. said male and female members are disconnected and adapted to automatically move said cover to an open position when said sleeve is moved on said shell to free said ball members whereby said male member may freely-enter said female member.

2. A coupling comprising a male member having a connectingportion with a peripheral groove, a female member comprising a cylindrical portion, ball members carried by said cylindrical portion, sealing means between said male g and female members, a telescopically disposed ball members whereby said male member may freely enter said female member.

ALBERT T. SCHE-IWER. 

